Young Tigers reign supreme with second straight U-19 Asia Cup win, defeating India

Bangladesh sealed their second consecutive U-19 Asia Cup title with a dominant 59-run victory over India in the final on 8 December in Dubai.

Despite posting a modest 198 runs after losing the toss and being sent to bat, the young Tigers delivered a stellar bowling performance to dismantle India's formidable batting lineup.

After being put in to bat, Bangladesh managed to post a total of 198 runs before being bowled out in the first innings.

Bangladesh's innings was marked by struggles from the very beginning. Opener Kalam Siddique managed just one run off 16 balls before being dismissed in the seventh over, setting the tone for a challenging day at the crease.

Skipper Azizul Hakim Tamim, who had impressed throughout the tournament, failed to deliver on the big stage, scoring only 16 runs. Fellow opener Zawad Abrar added 20 before being sent back.

The middle order briefly steadied the ship through Rizan Hossain and Shihab James, the standout performers of the innings.

Rizan contributed 49, falling just short of his fifty, while Shihab struck 40 off 67 balls, including three boundaries and a six. Their efforts pushed Bangladesh to 155 before the collapse resumed.

A late stand between Farid Hasan and Maruf Mridha added a crucial 30 runs for the ninth wicket, with Farid scoring a gritty 23 before departing in the 49th over.

Bangladesh's innings folded for 198, with India's bowling spearheaded by Yudhvir Singh, Chetan Sharma, and Hardik Raj, each claiming two wickets.

At the innings break, the target appeared underwhelming for a team like India, boasting a powerful batting lineup.

However, the contest took an unexpected turn when India collapsed to 100 for six, turning what seemed a straightforward chase into a mountain to climb.

India's chase got off to a disastrous start. They lost their first wicket at just 4 runs, with Ayush Mahatre dismissed for a single run.

Maruf Mridha then removed the in-form Vaibhav Suryavanshi, leaving India struggling at 44 for 3.

Kartikeya and Mohammad Arman attempted to steady the ship with a 29-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but Bangladesh's bowlers soon wreaked havoc.

Iqbal Hossain Iman claimed the crucial wickets of Nikhil Kumar and Harvansh Pangaliya in quick succession, breaking India's batting order and leaving them in disarray at 92 runs.

Al Fahad then removed Kiran Kormale, caught behind by the wicketkeeper, to leave India further behind in their chase.

However, India's captain, Mohammad Arman, continued to hold firm, adding 23 runs for the eighth wicket with Hardik Raj.

Just when it seemed they might stabilise, Bangladesh captain Azizul Hakim Tamim made the decisive breakthrough, dismissing Arman with a brilliant off-spin delivery.

Tamim continued his destructive spell, sending Hardik Raj back to the pavilion in his next over.

The match was effectively sealed when he caught Chetan Sharma at the boundary in the following over, confirming Bangladesh's victory.

Bangladesh's bowlers were outstanding, with both Tamim and Iman claiming three wickets each. Al Fahad took two wickets, while Maruf Mridha and Rizan Hossain added one each, as the youth team triumphed in dominant fashion.

Iqbal Hossain Emon was named both the Player of the final and the Player of the Tournament.